'Thor 2' Writer Don Payne Has Passed Away

Screenwriter Don Payne, whose credits include 'Thor: The Dark World' and over 15 episodes of 'The Simpsons,' passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer.

Payne got his start working on television series such as 'Men Behaving Badly' and 'Can't Hurry Love' before joining 'The Simpsons' in 2000, where he wrote and co-wrote sixteen episodes and acted as a producer on one hundred episodes. During his tenure there, 'The Simpsons' won four Emmys. His time spent working on one of TV's most iconic shows allowed him to break into writing studio movies, including 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend' and 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.' His credits on both 'Thor' and 'Thor: The Dark World' suggest that his career was on the verge of a brand new chapter -- 'Thor' was a tough nut to crack and there's no denying his role in bringing the Mighty Avenger to life.

Beyond his credits, Payne was a beloved family man and friend. When word of his death hit social media, the outcry was enormous, with screenwriters, producers and film critics alike all mourning his passing and remembering him.

Payne will live on in his work. 'Thor: The Dark World' arrives this summer and his adaptation of James Patterson's 'Maximum Ride' is currently in development.